gee whiz

English

Etymology

Alteration of Jesus.

Pronunciation

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

• IPA^(key): /dʒiː wɪz/, /dʒiː ʍɪz/

Interjection

gee whiz

1. (US, dated) Expression of surprise or annoyance, now usually equivalent to "Why should I care?"; so what?

   You only got 10% in the test. Gee whiz – you'll get over it.

   • 1959, “Beaver's Newspaper”, in Leave It to Beaver, season 2, episode 30, spoken by Theodore Cleaver (Jerry Mathers):

     Gee whiz, how do people have fun when they're married and have a family?

Adjective

gee whiz

1. very good, impressive.

   These are gee-whiz photographs.